360° Operative Videos: A Randomised Cross-Over Study Evaluating Attentiveness and Information Retention

OBJECTIVE: Although two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional videos have traditionally provided foundations for reviewing operative procedures, the recent 360 degrees format may provide new dimensions to surgical education. This study sought to describe the production of a high quality 360 degrees video for an index-operation (augmented with educational material), while evaluating for variances in attentiveness, information retention, and appraisal compared to 2D. DESIGN: A 6-camera synchronised array (GoPro Omni, [California, United States]) was suspended inverted and recorded an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 2016. A single-blinded randomised cross-over study was performed to evaluate this video in 360 degrees vs 2D formats. Group A experienced the 360 degrees video using Samsung (Suwon, South-Korea) GearVR virtual-reality headsets, followed by the 2D experience on a 75-inch television. Group B were reversed. Each video was probed at designated time points for engagement levels and task-unrelated images or thoughts. Alternating question banks were administered following each video experience. Feedback was obtained via a short survey at study completion. SETTING: The New Academic and Education Building (NAEB) in Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, July 2017. PARTICIPANTS: Preclinical undergraduate students from a medical university in Ireland. RESULTS: Forty students participated with a mean age of 23.2 +/- 4.5 years and equal sex involvement. The 360 degrees video demonstrated significantly higher engagement (p < 0.01) throughout the experience and lower task unrelated images or thoughts (p < 0.01). Significant variances in information retention between the 2 groups were absent (p = 0.143) but most (65%) reported the 360 degrees video as their learning platform of choice. Mean appraisal levels for the 360 degrees platform were positive with mean responses of > 8/10 for the platform for learning, immersion, and entertainment. CONCLUSIONS: This study describes the successful development and evaluation of a 360 degrees operative video. This new video format demonstrated significant engagement and attentiveness benefits compared to traditional 2D formats. This requires further evaluation in the field of technology enhanced learning. (C) 2017 Association of Program Directors in Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.